Electric socket connection



Jan. 23, 1934. A. REGENAUER ET AL 1,944,719

ELECTRIC SOCKET CONNECTION Filed Aug. 4, 1930 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z fry. 5.

62 INVENTORS E fgdolph Reg ena u e r rd/mfs EH63 n0 Z d 3 E295. Q

J 7 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 23, 1934. A. REGENAUER ET AL 1,944,719

ELECTRIC SOCKET CONNECTION Filed Aug. 4, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS F 5.1K fla'olp/z Beyenauer fidlia's [.Hegna his 3 a ATTO EY.

Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC SOCKET CONNECTION Adolf Regenauer and Francis E.

Reynolds,

Waukegan, Ill. said Reynolds assignor of one-, fourth of his right to said Regenauer Application August 4, 1930. Serial No. 472,787

5 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to detachable electric socket plugs, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of means for readily establishing and breaking electrical circuits maintained operative with auxiliary connecting means.

Electric power connecting plugs are universally employed in various situations and for numerous purposes. These are generally employed owing to the ability of readily connecting and disconnecting electrical devices such as lamps, power driven implements and the like to a power source to establish a circuit therewith.

Telescopically complemental elements are usually resorted to for this purpose, but these have not proven entirely satisfactory in that they are subject to accidental withdrawal to the end of breaking the circuit or otherwise rendering the connectors inoperative. This is especially true with plug connectors for industrial electrical driven tools and devices in that the cord leading therefrom serves to disassociate the complemental members to the end of creating a great deal of delay, inconvenience and inoperativeness.

Moreover, the connectors or complemental members become damaged by accidental withdrawal, since the terminals thereof are deformed or otherwise damaged by the fall from the socket and subject to deformation and fracture in that the attendant may inadvertently pass thereover or effect the displacement thereof to the end of impairing the terminals or the ability thereof to telescopically engage the member complemental thereto. In consequence thereof, it is very advantageous to both effect the telescopic association of the complemental members and create a mechanical connection therebetween so as to avoid any possible withdrawal or accidental displacement.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide a readily detachable electrical plug member with means for effecting a mechanical connection so as to avoid any possible withdrawal.

Still another object is the provision of complemental members for establishing an electrical connection responsive to the telescopic association thereof with means for precluding any accidental withdrawal or disassociation.

A further object is to provide complemental members for association to establish an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween.

Still a further object is the provision of telescopic members with means for precluding the accidental separation thereof.

A still further object is to provide members having complemental telescopic terminals with means rotatable relative thereto to establish a detachably fixed connection therebetween.

ther objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view in elevation of a device embodying features of the present invention, one of the complemental members being cross-sectioned to clarify the showing.

Figure '2 is a sectional view of one of the members taken substantially along line II-'-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end plan view of the member disclosed in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a quarter sectional view of the cap member disclosed in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan, view of the device disclosed in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side view in elevation of a connector associable with the cap member disclosed in Figure 4 for relative rotation therewith.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the member disclosed in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side view in elevation of the retaining ring which is assembled with the mouth of the cap member disclosed in Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the ring disclosed in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view of a multiple outlet plug structure which can be utilized in connection with the complemental plug member embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a side view in elevation of the complemental plug member disclosed in Figure 1, it being shown as a complement to a multiple outlet plug.

Figure 12 is a view in elevation of the'socket plug element disclosed in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a quarter sectional View of the retaining member or mechanical connector disclosed in Figure 10.

Figure 15 is a plan view of the in. Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan view of a wall socket plate designed to accommodate cap members with complemental connectors confined therein of the type disclosed in Figure 11.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken substantially longitudinally through the wall plate shown in Figure 16.

The structure selected for illustration comprises a plug extension 20 preferably of cylindrical shape with its body composed of fibrous or other insulated material, the terminus thereof being enveloped with a metallic ring 21 which 120 device shown is pressed or otherwise shaped from sheet material to define screw threads 22 therein. A socket contact 23 comprising the head of a threaded stud 24 is axially embedded in the plug member body 20 through the end thereof for insulation from the ring member 21 by an insulator disc 25. A pair of terminals 26 and 27 extend longitudinally through the plug body 20 in slots 28 and 29, respectively, provided therein for that purpose. As shown, the terminals 26 and 27 are composed of metallic straps having the extremities thereof suitably bent or otherwise shaped to present overlapping, closely associated leaves 30 retained in resilient contact by an extension 31 bent therefrom to confront the terminal straps 26 so that the respective exterior surfaces there of will contact with the corresponding walls of the slots 28 and 29.

The terminal 26 has a normally extending flange 32 provided on the other extremity thereof to contact with the metallic ring member 21 while the terminal strap 27 terminates in asimilarly extending flange 33 which extends through the insulator disc 25 for engagement with the stud 24 exteriorly thereof in contact with the contact head 23. In consequence thereof, the contacts 21 and 23 are connected to the terminals 26 and 27, respectively, and these are insulated from each other to enable the connection thereof to an electric socket of standard construction through the medium of the threaded ring member 21.

The threaded engagement of the plug body 20 with an electric wall or other socket 3%, provided wherever an occasion arises therefor, positions the plug 20 for the telescopic reception of a complemental terminal plug member 35 which serves as the medium through which the electric energy is conveyed to a lamp or device to perform a useful purpose. The complemental member 35 consists, in this instance, of a circular body 36 which is composed of any suitable insulating material such as bakelite or other known compositions which are readily moulded or stamped to the desired shape and configuration. As shown, the circular body 36 is provided with a flat end surface 3'? for receiving a pair of terminals 38 thereon.

. The terminals 38 are stamped or otherwise shaped'from metallic material, preferably copper or brass, for attachment thereto by means of rivets or other suitable fasteners 39, these having arms co for thethreaded reception of studs 41 thereon for attachment of wires 43 thereto. The wires i3 are increased in a conduit 44 which is projected through a bore c5 of any suitable configuration provided axially through the terminal body 35. The arms 40 are provided with upstanding terminals 42 which are spaced to correspond with the slots 28 and 29 provided longitudinally through the plug 20, these being capable of telescopic projection therein for engagement between the leaves 30 of the terminal straps 26 and 2'? so as to establish an electrical connection therebetween so that the electrical energy source may be transferred through the plug 20 and ter- 1 minal body 35 along the wires which lead to a lamp, electric motor, or other suitable electrically driven device, as commercial practice may dietate or deem expedient.

In order to preclude the telescopic disassociation between the terminal plug 35 and its complementv plug body 20, a terminal body cap 4e having a concave chambered interior 4'? freely receives the terminal body 35 which is relatively rotatable therein. The exterior contour of the terminal body 35 is curved as at 48 to correspond with the contour of the chambered interior 47 of the terminal cap 46, it being provided with an axial bore 49 therethrough to receive the wire conduit 44 from the terminal plug 35. As shown, the chambered interior 4? terminates in a threaded mouth 50 to receive a correspondingly, exteriorly threaded ring member 51 which retains the terminal body 35 therein against removal. So that the telescopic association of the terminal body 35 with the plug 20 may not be impaired nor the accidental withdrawal or separation effected, the ring 51 is interiorly bored to receive a thread 52 opposite in direction to the exterior thread p ovided on the ring member 51, thereby affording engagement with the correspondingly threaded extremity 53 of the plug 20. In consequence thereof, the terminal body cap 46 may be electrically connected with the plug 20 through the terminal body 35 and the operative position thereof maintained owing to the mechanical connection of the terminal cap housing 46 withthe plug 20.

With this arrangement, it is impossible to effect the telescopic withdrawal of the terminal body 35 with the plug 20, since the engagement of the latter with the terminal cap 46 precludes such dlsassociation. The threaded'engagement of the terminal cap 46 with the plug 20 is efiected responsive to relative rotation therebetween; however, this does not affect the rotary position of the terminal body 35 which is relatively movable with respect to its enclosure or cap 46 so that the wires 43 may-not be twisted or otherwise mutilated responsive to the mechanical connection between the terminal cap i6 and plug 20. In consequence thereof, the complemental members 20 and 35 are capable of ready association to establish an electrical connection and similarly mechanically combined or attached through the terminal cap 46 so that withdrawal is selectively precluded to the end that a detachable permanent connection is available without any possible accidental disconnection. Set screws 54 extend diametrically through the mouth region of the terminal cap 46 to engage the ring member 51 so as to preclude the relative rotation thereof with respect to the cap 46. Obviously, other forms of retaining the ring member 51 in position may be resorted to, and the attachment therebetween may be varied within a wide range to meet the dictates of commercial practice.

A furtheradaptation of the invention consists in providing a plug connector 20 which is constructed similarly to the plug 20 previously described; however, the ring thereofmay be shortened for convenience and to better adapt its use in connection with a three or other multipleway plug 55. The plug55 has, in this instance, three outlets 53' which radiate from the center thereof in any suitable direction, they being provided with slots 28' and 29' for the reception of flat metallic strip terminals 30' in a manner similar to the plug 20 described supra-and illustrated in Figure 2. {is a consequence, the terminal body 35' enclosed in the cap d6 is capable of application thereto throughthe intermediary pf the terminal extensions 42' provided thereon for telescopic association and contact with the spring terminals 30'.

As shown, the outlets 53' have the exterior pe= riphery thereof threaded as at 56 to engage the interiorly threaded ring 51" of the terminal can 46'. By so doing, the telescopic association of the terminal extensions 42 with the spring terminals 30 will effect an electrical connection therebetween in circuit with the wires 43' defined in the conduit 44' which remain stationary with the terminal body 35 responsive to the rotation of theterminal cap 46 relative thereto for effecting threaded engagement with the correspondingly threaded periphery 56 of the outlets 53. In consequence thereof, an electrical and mechanical connection is established so that the separation of the terminal body 35 from the outlets 53 will be found impossible unless such is found desirable or necessary by an attendant. With this arrangement, the features described supra in connection with the plug 20 may be embodied in a three-way or other multiple-way plug 55 with the same result and advantages.

As shown, the plug 55' has an outlet 57 extending therefrom to present a threaded exterior 58 corresponding with the threads 22' on the plug 20'. Electrical connection between the plug 20' and the outlet 5'7 is established by means of a pair of terminal bars 59 which extend from the outlet 57 for telescopic association with spring terminals 30' of the type disclosed and described.

in connection with the outlets 53'. Separation or withdrawal of the outlet 57 from the plug 20 is precluded by a sleeve 60 composed of bakelite or other suitable material having an interiorly threaded bore 61 conforming to the threaded exterior 22' and 58 of the plug 20' and outlet 57, respectively. Mechanical or physical connection is effected between the complemental members 20 and 57 owing to the threaded engagement of the sleeve 60 therewith, the sleeve 60 having aknurled periphery 62 which enables the manual rotation thereof in either direction with the necessary convenience and facility.

Modern embodiments of wall sockets include the provision of spring terminals 30" in an insulator body 63 which constitutes a part of a wall socketto effect the telescopic reception of a terminal body having extending terminals 42' thereon of the type disclosed in connection with the terminal body 35' (Figure 11). In this connection, it is purposed to provide a threaded periphery 64 on the plug 63 which is sized and shaped to correspond with the interior threaded ring member 51' disclosed in connection with the terminal cap 46' described supra. The terminals 42' of the terminal body 35' are complemental to the spring terminals 30" for telescopic associationto effect contact or electrical connection therebetween. Thereupon, the terminal cap 46' is threadedly engaged with the periphery 64 of the correspondingly shaped wall socket plug 63 thereby establishing an electrical and physical connection precluding any accidental separation or impairment of the electrical connection.

To the end of accommodating the terminal cap 46', a circular recess 65 surrounds the plug 63 in the .wall socket member 66. This affords the entry of the terminal cap 46' responsive to the threaded engagement thereof with the correspondingly threaded periphery 64 of the plug 63. This arrangement enables a terminal body 35 and caps 46' of standard design to be employed in connection with the three different types of plugs constituting preferred embodiments of the invention, although such may be varied within a wide range to meet the demands and dictates of commercial practice. If desired, the exterior surface of the terminal cap 46 may be knurled as at 67 to afford more convenient grasp and manual turning thereof as is found necessary in effecting a physical connection between the complemental members. While the preferred embodiments have been described in connection with electric light sockets, it is obvious that such may be utilized with equal advantage on power driven mechanical devices and other situations wherever an external electrical connection is found necessary or desirable to accomplish any advantageous purpose.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

I. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal plug for telescopic electrical connection to an electrical source, of a cap housing removably associated with said plug, said plug being received in said cap housing, and means on the periphery of said cap housing for precluding the accidental removal of said terminal plug and to effect the detachable mechanical connection thereof to said electrical source against accidental detachment therefrom.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal plug for telescopic electrical connection to an electrical source, of a cap housing associated with said plug, said plug being received in said cap housing, retaining means on said cap housing for precluding the removal of said terminal plug and fastener means on said retainer means to effect the detachable threaded mechanical connection thereof to said electrical source against accidental removal therefrom.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal plug for telescopic "electrical, connection to an electrical source, of

a cap housing associated with said plug for rotary movement relation thereto, and a ring member detachably connected to said cap housing for precluding the removal of said terminal plug therefrom said ring member serving to effect the detachable mechanical connection thereof to said electrical source against accidental removal therefrom.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal plug for telescopic electrical connection to an electrical source, of a cap housing loosely receiving said terminal plug for relative rotary movement therein, wires loosely extending through said cap for connection to said terminal plug, a ring member in threaded engagement with the open periphery of said cap housing for retaining said terminal plug in said cap housing against removal, and means on said ring member for connecting said cap to the electrical source to preclude the accidental telescopic removal of said terminal plug therefrom.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a terminal plug for telescopic electrical connection to an electrical source, of a cap housing loosely receiving said terminal plug 'for relative rotary movement therein, wires loose- ADOLF REGENAUER. FRANCIS E. REYNOLDS, 

